The Iowa Center for Economic Success is holding an event on Jan. 26 to share the details of its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), which provides tax preparation services to small businesses and low-income individuals and families. The session will cover background on the program, who is eligible for these services, how to access them and […]
Corridor Business Journal: University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (UNI JPEC) has appointed a new director following the retirement of former director Laurie Watje. Patrick Luensmann is a 2012 graduate of the economics and finance departments at the University of Northern Iowa. “We are fortunate and excited to have Patrick lead the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial […]
The Iowa Biotechnology Association is accepting nominations for the Iowa Biotech Leader of the Year Award through Friday, Jan. 12. The Iowa Biotech Leader Award aims to honor exceptional individuals who have shown leadership within their organizations and the industry, consistently delivered innovative biotech solutions, and actively advocated for Iowa’s biotechnology sector. The winner of […]
The Global Insurance Accelerator has announced seven companies that will participate in the 2024 accelerator program beginning Jan. 10. The 100-day program will operate in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual portions, concluding with the companies’ presentations at the Global Insurance Symposium on April 17. The GIA has also hired Jenni Gruenisen as its […]
InnoVenture Iowa, the first public venture capital fund in Iowa, has added three new companies to its investment portfolio since the second quarter, it has announced. The fund began co-investing in early-stage, Iowa-based startups in bioscience, advanced manufacturing and information technology in 2023. A list of all of InnoVenture Iowa’s investments to date is available here. The […]
The U.S. Department of Economic Administration has chosen the Center for Industrial Research and Service to continue its role in the national University Center program. According to a news release, the designation, along with a five-year grant, will provide CIRAS with the resources needed to enhance its support for Iowa’s construction industry. CIRAS will focus […]
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications now through Jan. 31 for the 2024 Athene Black and Brown Business Summit pitch competition. Applicants must be a for-profit business that is 51% minority owned and has been in business for at least two years. The selected businesses will be invited to participate in […]
NewBoCo has announced that Jill Wilkins, who has been serving as the organization’s interim executive director since April, has now been named to the position on a permanent basis. Wilkins succeeds Aaron Horn, who stepped down in April to take a new position. Wilkins spent 10 years with the Cedar Rapids Downtown District and the Metro Economic Alliance, […]
The Iowa Biotechnology Association, in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Bio Nebraska, has announced the launch of Bio Innovations Midwest, a new event designed to “propel the growth of biomanufacturing” in the Midwest. The event will feature prearranged 1-2-1 commercial meetings followed by a conference that will include networking opportunities. The […]
The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the 10 graduates of the second cohort of the Scale DSM Minority Business Accelerator. The business owners completed a seven-month program centered around case-based peer learning, management skills and building networks to help them grow their businesses. The program uses curriculum from Boston-based nonprofit Interise and is sponsored […]